What is the best English-speaking country in Africa?

Based on recent 2025 data from the EF English Proficiency Index, South Africa is generally considered the best English-speaking country in Africa due to widespread use in business, education, and government, closely followed by Zimbabwe, with Kenya, Zambia, and Nigeria also ranking very high. These rankings focus on proficiency levels, with Southern and East African nations often leading due to historical educational systems and international exposure.

Which African country speaks the best English?

South Africa has been ranked the best English- speaking country in Africa and 13th globally, according to Education First (EF) in its 2025 EF English Proficiency Index.

What is Kenya ranked in English speaking?

Kenya ranked 19th globally and 3rd best English speaking country in Africa by EF.

Who speaks better English, Ghana or Nigeria?

Nigeria has ranked ahead of Ghana in the 2025 EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI), placing higher in Africa's English language proficiency standings, even as Ghana maintained a strong position among the continent's top English-speaking nations.

What is the safest country in Africa?

While rankings vary slightly, Mauritius, Botswana, and Rwanda are consistently cited as the safest countries in Africa, known for political stability, low violent crime, and strong tourism infrastructure, with Mauritius often topping lists based on metrics like the Global Peace Index. Namibia, Zambia, and Ghana also rank highly, offering safe environments for travelers with diverse attractions.
 

Top 10 Best English Speaking Countries in Africa

Which country is no. 1 in English?

The United States has the largest total number of English speakers, followed closely by India, which has a massive population using English as a second language, while the Netherlands consistently ranks #1 for English proficiency in non-native speaking countries. So, the "number 1" depends on whether you mean most speakers (USA/India) or best overall skill (Netherlands).
 

What are the best English speaking countries to live in?

Many people prefer English-speaking countries because language skills help make the transition easier. These countries also offer welcoming communities, strong economies, and high living standards. Countries like Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom are popular choices for expats.

Do Kenyans use American or British English?

As Kenyans generally use British English, vocabulary in Kenyan English is very similar to that of British English.

How do you say hello in Kenyan?

To say hello in Kenya, use Swahili greetings like "Jambo" or "Hujambo" for a general "hello," or "Habari" (meaning "news") asking how someone is, with responses like "Nzuri" (fine) or "Sawa" (okay). More informal options for youth include "Mambo" or "Sasa," while formal greetings for elders might be "Shikamoo," notes Kenyasafari.com.
 

What country is most accepting of Americans?

Poland, Israel, and South Korea consistently rank high for favorable views of the U.S., while countries like Portugal, Mexico, Taiwan, Canada, and Costa Rica are often cited as very welcoming for expats and tourists due to ease of settling and friendly locals. The "most welcoming" depends on whether you're a tourist (Japan, Brazil offer cultural magnetism) or looking to move (Mexico, Portugal offer easier residency/settling). 

Which country speaks the purest English?

The Netherlands

With a comprehensive education system emphasizing English from an early age, the Dutch boast fluency and accent-free command of the language. Dutch people often speak English fluently, influenced by strong educational systems and widespread media consumption in English.

What is the cheapest English-speaking country to live in?

What are the cheapest English-speaking countries to live in? India, Ghana, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, and South Africa are among the most affordable options.

Which country is most educated in Africa?

Our findings reveal that the Seychelles has the highest literacy rate at 95.9% among African countries, followed by Equatorial Guinea (95.3%), South Africa (95%), São Tomé and Principe (94.8%), Namibia (92.3%), and Mauritius (92.2%), among others.

What are the top 5 English countries in Africa?

Top 10 Best English-speaking countries in Africa (Latest Rankings) 1)- South Africa 🇿🇦 2)- Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 3)- Kenya 🇰🇪 4)- Zambia 🇿🇲 5)- Nigeria 🇳🇬 6)- Ghana 🇬🇭 7)- Uganda 🇺🇬 8)- Ethiopia 🇪🇹 9)- Tunisia 🇹🇳 10)- Morocco 🇲🇦 Courtesy of EF, English Proficiency Index (EF EPI).

What African language is closest to English?

As a bonus, English is also quite similar to Afrikaans, a South African language that's based on Dutch but includes more indigenous vocabulary.

Which African countries have good English?

South Africa and Zimbabwe lead the continent, both recording very high proficiency scores of 602, placing them among the strongest English-speaking countries globally.

What are the top 3 languages in Kenya?

Languages spoken

The most common are Kikuyu, Dholuo and Kamba. Sheng, a Swahili-based slang mixed with English is widely spoken in Nairobi.

Is Kenya safe to visit now?

Yes, you can travel to Kenya, but most governments advise exercising a high degree of caution, especially in certain regions, due to risks of terrorism, crime (like armed carjacking, mugging, kidnapping), civil unrest, and health concerns, with "do not travel" advisories for border areas with Somalia and other specific locations. While popular safari areas and major cities have strict security, it's crucial to check your government's latest travel advisories (like from the U.S. State Dept, UK FCDO, Smartraveller) and be vigilant about your surroundings and belongings. 

What is the easiest country to move to as a US citizen?

North America offers some of the easiest relocation options for US citizens, with familiar culture, short travel distances, and well-established expat communities. Canada and Costa Rica stand out as top choices, each offering residency pathways for investors, retirees, and families.

Which language is closest to English?

Frisian is the closest language to English

The closest language to English is Frisian. This Germanic language is spoken by about 400,000 people in an area historically known as Frisia—now within the modern regions of Netherlands and Germany.

What is the safest English-speaking country?

English proficiency and safety

Grenada's official language is English, making it an excellent choice for English-speaking expats. Grenada is known for its peaceful environment and low crime rates.

Which country has the best quality of life?

There isn't one single country with the "best" quality of life, as rankings vary, but Denmark, Switzerland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Nordic countries (Finland, Norway, Sweden) consistently rank at the top for overall living conditions, healthcare, safety, and work-life balance, with Denmark often cited #1 by sources like U.S. News & World Report. These nations excel in providing robust social welfare, political stability, and strong economies, balancing high taxes with excellent public services. 

Which country speaks the clearest English?

This chart shows different countries' score on the EF English Proficiency Index 2023. Western and Northern European nations won out the category of very high proficiency last year, with the Netherlands in the lead.